By the way, I just realized that James has not really looked at any Western Conference teams (other than the Clippers, but are they really a team?). I wonder why.

RodeoSchro said:

By the way, I just realized that James has not really looked at any Western Conference teams (other than the Clippers, but are they really a team?). I wonder why.

Because he don't wanna go through Kobe.

RebirthOfCool said:

There you go, Graycap. Bulls sign Boozer for 80 million. That's a good sign. Now can they land Bron?

The Bulls don't have the mgmt skill set 2 get the big dawgs.

RebirthOfCool said:

RodeoSchro said:

By the way, I just realized that James has not really looked at any Western Conference teams (other than the Clippers, but are they really a team?). I wonder why.

Because he don't wanna go through Kobe.

Not just Kobe - the eight place playoff seed won FIFTY games. Top-to-bottom, the west is no joke.

Ray Allen signed a two-year deal for $20mil. Celtics are also looking at Jermaine O'Neal.

Knicks are pondering a sign-and-trade for David Lee with Anthony Randolph.

[Edited 7/8/10 6:07am]

uPtoWnNY said:

RebirthOfCool said:

Because he don't wanna go through Kobe.

Not just Kobe - the eight place playoff seed won FIFTY games. Top-to-bottom, the west is no joke.

Ray Allen signed a two-year deal for $20mil. Celtics are also looking at Jermaine O'Neal.

Knicks are pondering a sign-and-trade for David Lee with Anthony Randolph.

[Edited 7/8/10 6:07am]

The East is top-heavy, the west is stacked top to bottom.

C's mortgaged their future, they REALLY don't want LA to tie them in the title count. But if the Heat sign LBJ it may not matter.

uPtoWnNY said:

RebirthOfCool said:

Because he don't wanna go through Kobe.

Not just Kobe - the eight place playoff seed won FIFTY games. Top-to-bottom, the west is no joke.

Ray Allen signed a two-year deal for $20mil. Celtics are also looking at Jermaine O'Neal.

Knicks are pondering a sign-and-trade for David Lee with Anthony Randolph.

[Edited 7/8/10 6:07am]

Jermaine is shot.........bad knees.

RodeoSchro said:

I find it impossible to be a fan of LeBron James now.

This whole ESPN show is too much.

Thank you. Ol' boy needs to get over himself.

Knicks 'Plan B' - Anthony Randolph;

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_15459742?source=rss&nclick_check=1

phunkdaddy said:

RodeoSchro said:

I find it impossible to be a fan of LeBron James now.

This whole ESPN show is too much.

No different from the annual ESPN Brett Favre offseason spectacle.

Brett Favre has won a championship, James nada. It one thing when you a winner and James hasn't done jack, in fact he faded away in the playoffs this season.

uPtoWnNY said:

RebirthOfCool said:

Because he don't wanna go through Kobe.

Not just Kobe - the eight place playoff seed won FIFTY games. Top-to-bottom, the west is no joke.

Ray Allen signed a two-year deal for $20mil. Celtics are also looking at Jermaine O'Neal.

Knicks are pondering a sign-and-trade for David Lee with Anthony Randolph.

[Edited 7/8/10 6:07am]

That, too.

Graycap23 said:

uPtoWnNY said:

Not just Kobe - the eight place playoff seed won FIFTY games. Top-to-bottom, the west is no joke.

Ray Allen signed a two-year deal for $20mil. Celtics are also looking at Jermaine O'Neal.

Knicks are pondering a sign-and-trade for David Lee with Anthony Randolph.

[Edited 7/8/10 6:07am]

Jermaine is shot.........bad knees.

Exactly. That's been the talk around Columbia.

TD3 said:

phunkdaddy said:

No different from the annual ESPN Brett Favre offseason spectacle.

Brett Favre has won a championship, James nada. It one thing when you a winner and James hasn't done jack, in fact he faded away in the playoffs this season.

Okay since Lord Brett has one championship(20 years ago) that gives him the right to hold

a football team hostage every year. James didn't fade away in the playoffs, he

just ran into a buzzsaw Boston Celtics team that played great team defense.

Not all great players win championships. As far as Brett goes, the way ESPN has

immortalized him, you would think he has won 4 Super Bowls.

Love you anyway TD3.

This whole free agent signing period thing is a downer..................

Graycap23 said:

This whole free agent signing period thing is a downer..................

At least you got Carlos Boozer. All i have is watching Evan Turner play

in Philly's summer league.

Don't know how this Bron thing gonna turn out. He would be an excellent

fit in Chicago where he would be the number one option and Rose would

feed him the ball. Wouldn't surprise me if he shocked everyone and goes

to the Knicks with Stoudemire on board.

phunkdaddy said:

Graycap23 said:

This whole free agent signing period thing is a downer..................

At least you got Carlos Boozer. All i have is watching Evan Turner play

in Philly's summer league.

Don't know how this Bron thing gonna turn out. He would be an excellent

fit in Chicago where he would be the number one option and Rose would

feed him the ball. Wouldn't surprise me if he shocked everyone and goes

to the Knicks with Stoudemire on board.

What do u think of Iverson trying 2 get back into the league? I would NOT touch the guy with your hands.

I love this quote from Charles Oakley on Scottie Pippen.

I tend 2 agree:

Scottie Pippen: "He's the best athlete all-around ever to play in the NBA. Tell me somebody who can do what he could do for 48 minutes on the basketball court... Michael was the singer and Scottie was the drummer. The didn't need no backup singers."

Graycap23 said:

phunkdaddy said:

At least you got Carlos Boozer. All i have is watching Evan Turner play

in Philly's summer league.

Don't know how this Bron thing gonna turn out. He would be an excellent

fit in Chicago where he would be the number one option and Rose would

feed him the ball. Wouldn't surprise me if he shocked everyone and goes

to the Knicks with Stoudemire on board.

What do u think of Iverson trying 2 get back into the league? I would NOT touch the guy with your hands.

May be too little too late. He'd really have to show some team he has the work

ethic and willing to take a reduced role. Can still shoot the rock.

phunkdaddy said:

Graycap23 said:

What do u think of Iverson trying 2 get back into the league? I would NOT touch the guy with your hands.

May be too little too late. He'd really have to show some team he has the work

ethic and willing to take a reduced role. Can still shoot the rock.

At a blistering 38%

Graycap23 said:

phunkdaddy said:

May be too little too late. He'd really have to show some team he has the work

ethic and willing to take a reduced role. Can still shoot the rock.

At a blistering 38%

You know AI got to shoot that rock 30 times a game.

The brother got to win his scoring titles.

Graycap23 said:

I love this quote from Charles Oakley on Scottie Pippen.

I tend 2 agree:

Scottie Pippen: "He's the best athlete all-around ever to play in the NBA. Tell me somebody who can do what he could do for 48 minutes on the basketball court... Michael was the singer and Scottie was the drummer. The didn't need no backup singers."

I can't agree. He was stupendous, don't get me wrong, but the NBA features the best athletes in the world. LeBron James is a freaking specimen with speed, size, quickness and strength and Pip isn't on his level in that regard. You could make the case that Kobe's a better athlete than Pip, as well as several others.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

I love this quote from Charles Oakley on Scottie Pippen.

I tend 2 agree:

Scottie Pippen: "He's the best athlete all-around ever to play in the NBA. Tell me somebody who can do what he could do for 48 minutes on the basketball court... Michael was the singer and Scottie was the drummer. The didn't need no backup singers."

I can't agree. He was stupendous, don't get me wrong, but the NBA features the best athletes in the world. LeBron James is a freaking specimen with speed, size, quickness and strength and Pip isn't on his level in that regard. You could make the case that Kobe's a better athlete than Pip, as well as several others.

I tend 2 think that Scottie is HIGHLY underrated and appreciated. I'm just glad that I was there 2 witness it from day 1. I don't think I've ever seen a better defensive forward in the NBA than Scottie. EVER....and I've been watching the NBA since 1970.

Lebron is a freak of nature but he is nowhere near the defensive player Scottie was and neither is Kobe.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

I can't agree. He was stupendous, don't get me wrong, but the NBA features the best athletes in the world. LeBron James is a freaking specimen with speed, size, quickness and strength and Pip isn't on his level in that regard. You could make the case that Kobe's a better athlete than Pip, as well as several others.

I tend 2 think that Scottie is HIGHLY underrated and appreciated. I'm just glad that I was there 2 witness it from day 1. I don't think I've ever seen a better defensive forward in the NBA than Scottie. EVER....and I've been watching the NBA since 1970.

Lebron is a freak of nature but he is nowhere near the defensive player Scottie was and neither is Kobe.

Rodman was the best rebounder of his generation, but he wasn't the best athlete. I don't doubt what you say about Pip's attributes as a defender, or for that matter, his ability to run the floor or shoot from long-range. He was as fully realized a talent as there's ever been in my years watching the NBA.

But in terms of athletic prowess, pure physical ability, I can't say he is better than anyone else.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

I tend 2 think that Scottie is HIGHLY underrated and appreciated. I'm just glad that I was there 2 witness it from day 1. I don't think I've ever seen a better defensive forward in the NBA than Scottie. EVER....and I've been watching the NBA since 1970.

Lebron is a freak of nature but he is nowhere near the defensive player Scottie was and neither is Kobe.

Rodman was the best rebounder of his generation, but he wasn't the best athlete. I don't doubt what you say about Pip's attributes as a defender, or for that matter, his ability to run the floor or shoot from long-range. He was as fully realized a talent as there's ever been in my years watching the NBA.

But in terms of athletic prowess, pure physical ability, I can't say he is better than anyone else.

They are and have been so many great players. I wish they would shrink the league by 6 to 8 teams get back 2 some really GOOD ball.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

Rodman was the best rebounder of his generation, but he wasn't the best athlete. I don't doubt what you say about Pip's attributes as a defender, or for that matter, his ability to run the floor or shoot from long-range. He was as fully realized a talent as there's ever been in my years watching the NBA.

But in terms of athletic prowess, pure physical ability, I can't say he is better than anyone else.

They are and have been so many great players. I wish they would shrink the league by 6 to 8 teams get back 2 some really GOOD ball.

The 80's were filled with great teams for that very reason. Back then, the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Charlotte (NO) Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies didn't exist. Those are the six you mentioned. Imagine Chris Paul with the Knicks, Wade with the Bulls, early-career Vince Carter with the Spurs, or if Alonzo Mourning had been drafted by the Sonics or Hawks, or LJ went to the Knicks straight out of college. Or Shaq to Boston or the Sixers. We could go on!!!

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

They are and have been so many great players. I wish they would shrink the league by 6 to 8 teams get back 2 some really GOOD ball.

The 80's were filled with great teams for that very reason. Back then, the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Charlotte (NO) Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies didn't exist. Those are the six you mentioned. Imagine Chris Paul with the Knicks, Wade with the Bulls, early-career Vince Carter with the Spurs, or if Alonzo Mourning had been drafted by the Sonics or Hawks, or LJ went to the Knicks straight out of college. Or Shaq to Boston or the Sixers. We could go on!!!

That would be sick......in a good way.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

I love this quote from Charles Oakley on Scottie Pippen.

I tend 2 agree:

Scottie Pippen: "He's the best athlete all-around ever to play in the NBA. Tell me somebody who can do what he could do for 48 minutes on the basketball court... Michael was the singer and Scottie was the drummer. The didn't need no backup singers."

I can't agree. He was stupendous, don't get me wrong, but the NBA features the best athletes in the world. LeBron James is a freaking specimen with speed, size, quickness and strength and Pip isn't on his level in that regard. You could make the case that Kobe's a better athlete than Pip, as well as several others.

Oak needs to go check some of Wilt's track exploits. Sick shit.

Graycap23 said:

namepeace said:

I can't agree. He was stupendous, don't get me wrong, but the NBA features the best athletes in the world. LeBron James is a freaking specimen with speed, size, quickness and strength and Pip isn't on his level in that regard. You could make the case that Kobe's a better athlete than Pip, as well as several others.

I tend 2 think that Scottie is HIGHLY underrated and appreciated. I'm just glad that I was there 2 witness it from day 1. I don't think I've ever seen a better defensive forward in the NBA than Scottie. EVER....and I've been watching the NBA since 1970.

Lebron is a freak of nature but he is nowhere near the defensive player Scottie was and neither is Kobe.

I'm gonna say this, and many probably won't agree, but Pip was the greatest all around SF ever. No player had his all around abilities on both ends of the floor. No one. Bron's D isn't even close to what Pip's D was.

RebirthOfCool said:

Graycap23 said:

I tend 2 think that Scottie is HIGHLY underrated and appreciated. I'm just glad that I was there 2 witness it from day 1. I don't think I've ever seen a better defensive forward in the NBA than Scottie. EVER....and I've been watching the NBA since 1970.

Lebron is a freak of nature but he is nowhere near the defensive player Scottie was and neither is Kobe.

I'm gonna say this, and many probably won't agree, but Pip was the greatest all around SF ever. No player had his all around abilities on both ends of the floor. No one. Bron's D isn't even close to what Pip's D was.

I agree times 6.

namepeace said:

Graycap23 said:

They are and have been so many great players. I wish they would shrink the league by 6 to 8 teams get back 2 some really GOOD ball.

The 80's were filled with great teams for that very reason. Back then, the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Charlotte (NO) Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies didn't exist. Those are the six you mentioned. Imagine Chris Paul with the Knicks, Wade with the Bulls, early-career Vince Carter with the Spurs, or if Alonzo Mourning had been drafted by the Sonics or Hawks, or LJ went to the Knicks straight out of college. Or Shaq to Boston or the Sixers. We could go on!!!

Ah, I gotta disagree with you there, dog. The 80s were stacked with about 6 teams: Lakers, Celts, Pistons, 6ers, Rockets, and Bucks. With 2 of those teams stacked with at least 3 HOFers: Lakers and Celts. The rest of the NBA was average and that's what led to free agency. Once free agency hit, that's when you saw more parity.

RebirthOfCool said:

namepeace said:

The 80's were filled with great teams for that very reason. Back then, the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Charlotte (NO) Hornets, Toronto Raptors, Charlotte Bobcats, and Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies didn't exist. Those are the six you mentioned. Imagine Chris Paul with the Knicks, Wade with the Bulls, early-career Vince Carter with the Spurs, or if Alonzo Mourning had been drafted by the Sonics or Hawks, or LJ went to the Knicks straight out of college. Or Shaq to Boston or the Sixers. We could go on!!!

Ah, I gotta disagree with you there, dog. The 80s were stacked with about 6 teams: Lakers, Celts, Pistons, 6ers, Rockets, and Bucks. With 2 of those teams stacked with at least 3 HOFers: Lakers and Celts. The rest of the NBA was average and that's what led to free agency. Once free agency hit, that's when you saw more parity.

Also true. But what I was (trying to) say was that those dominant teams may not have been formed had there been more teams to take more draft picks or trade for/acquire veteran players.

imagine if 6 other teams had been around to draft Worthy, Rodman, Olajuwon, et al. Or other teams had outbid the Sixers for Moses or Bobby Jones, or the Lakers for Mychal Thompson before the trading deadline, etc. It was an era filled with great teams and a big reason was because the pool of talent was deeper with 6 less franchises around.